The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-12-03
ToWsoNTowN, Md, SATURDAY DECEMBER 9, 1887

Lovely spring weather we're having
Yes, yes; walk in, walk in. Dorcas
where's Miss Violet p
Doscas, who made her appearance
with visage as stony as that of the
Gorgons of old, and her head tied up
in towel, set down her pail and scrub
bing-brush.
"She's up stairs, sir, polishin' the
back windys."
"Polishing the back windows my
grand daughter !"
eyes, sir. We're cleaning house, sir"
chuckled Dorcas.
"The deuce you are !"
Mr.. Howard's under jaw dropped
He turned to his guest.
"There's no accounting for wo-
mans Freaks" he said sourly. But
I certainly told Violet you were COM
ing"
"Don't l beg of you, let me inter-
fere with any of your household arrange
nents - said Ericsson whose idea of
housecleaning consisted of leaving a
dirty room in the morning and coming
back to new curtains, fresh chair covers
and polished furniture at night. You
see our old bachelor had yet much to
learn.
Violet came to the tea-table, her pref
ty face disfgured by close cap, bib
apron enveloping her figure in its vol
luminous and curious folds and preoc-
cupied air. There was nothing to eat
but bread and butter, damaged pickles
and cold pork.
"Eh! How's this z" asked Mr.. How
ard, surveying the board with a dis
gusted air. "Is this the best you have
to set before us, Violet ?"
"Grandpapa !" said Violet, with an
injured air, "you know l have some
ambition to be good housekeeper-
and how can clean house properly and
yet spend my whole time in the kitch-
en- Besides, don't for one believe in
indigestible dainties. If ever l keep
house I shall live on plain Graham
bread and simple cold water"
Mr.. Ericsson, who was rather fond of
harmless little side dishes and salads,
jellies and creams, WINGED visibly.-
Grandpapa Howard stared at the saucy
little girl in blank wonder.
After tea Mr.. Ericsson sat down for
a chat with Violet, but he had scarcely
spoken a sentence before she rose.
"Excuse me-" said she, "but | must
60 and see that the carpets are brought
in from the grass and the white wash
pals covered. Your room was white
washed to day, Mr.. Ericsson, and thor
oughly scrubbed. / saw to it myself!"
"Eh?" gasped the elderly lover,
of his rheumatism and sciatica.
Possibly if may be little damp-if
If any other apartment was equally as
"The bedsteads are all down, and the
carpets all up |" interrupted Violet
''You can either sleep there or in the
barn, whichever you choose !"
Mr.. Ericsson looked rather discomft-
Scratch, II SHE chose: :l1A And Il
ust possible that Violet Howard might
be shrew2 He was no Petruchio to
attempt tanning this Katharine, and
Just them Mr.. Howard came in and
he old gentleman's reverie was cut
short.
He went yawning to his bedroom at
nine o'clock. 1t was rather stupid to
;it by the light of kerosene lamp and
listen to old Howard's platitudes.-
Violet came near him no more.
"Ph-e-w!" said Mr.. Ericsson,
cooking hopelessly at the wet floor, and
-eeking walls of his room. "Sheets
lamp, TIL bet a cookey! My good |
to Dorcas, who was carrying
his lamp chow often does your young
ady clean house ?"
"Four times year, sir" said Dor
:as, promptly, "and oftener if she thinks |
he house needs it. She's dreadful |
smart housekeeper, is Miss Vi'let."
"Four times year !" echoed Mr.
Ericsson, in dismay. "Why mans |
ife would be secured and scrubbed |
He woke up at the nrsr uawn 0I rIIc
morning, stiff, sore, and with aching |
pains in every joint.
"Confound house cleaning, he |
hought as he contrived to draw his |
coat across the newly-whiten-
ID wall, thereby causing it to assume a
to miller's blouse. I've |
lad enough of it."
"He came down to breakfast of
weak coffee, pickles and cold pork again,
With bag ready packed.
"You're not going to leave us, Eric
ION p cried his host.
Ell find important business will
AXE me away this morning." unblush-
ingly lied our venerable hero. "And
ook you here Howard-a word in your |
earl find, on mature reflection, that |
t would be very foolish for an old cod
ger like myself to think of allying my
;elf, to your-ahem-charming grand
laughter. May and November, eh |
and all that sort of thing She'll be a |
great deal happier with some one near
er her own age. And" speaking very |
FAST to anticipate the opposition he saw
in Mr.. Herodotus Howard's face,
''about that trife of money between us,
we'll.cry quits. What does few dol
ars signify between friends? +? Takeitasa |
present to Miss Violet, when
ever she finds some one to take my place.
Ha ha ha i"
And away went Mr.. Ericsson.
Violet Howard did not waste a single |
.ear over her recreant lover. She went |
merrily on with the spring cleaning,
and when that annual ceremonial was
over she married-Oliver Beltonl 1t
was very singular how Violet Howard
always contrived to have her own way.
The County POstmaster's Right.
City Boarder-Any letters for me,
Mr.. Dusenbury1 County Postmaster
I've been so busy around
the store I hain't had time to open
IN